In memory of Little Joe Micale

In Memory of
Little Joe Micale

Tributes, words, and memories of Little Joe from GCWA members.

Photo by Barbara Burnett's daughter Mary Bruzik

Joe’s Memorial Service will be held at the First Assembly of God,
4701 Summerlin Road, at the intersection with Colonial.
The date, Thursday December 8, 2011. Time 7:00 PM.

A tribute from Joe Pacheco

From Barbara Burnett (with Little Joe's own words from the close of his book.)

From Mary Lou Williams

From NBC-2

From Wink News

From the News Press by Dayna Harpster

Obituary from the News Press

"Shell Shocked" from the Sanibel-Captiva Islander

Our literary world in Southwest Florida has been greatly diminished by the abrupt accidental death of Joseph P. Micale, known to all of us as “Little Joe.” Little Joe was a gifted storyteller, prize-winning columnist and author who possessed a rare genius for making friends and understanding people.

His memorable collection of newspaper columns and memoirs, Confessions of a Hollywood Hairstylist, not only bypassed the glamour and glitz of the rich and famous to concentrate on their everyday humanity but it also brought to life the off-screen world of movie technicians, writers, agents, producers and directors, many of them his patrons and friends.

On the Saturday morning of his death, I opened an e-mail from him declaring happily that the roster for his December 6th StoryTelling show at Calusa Harbor had been filled. I thought then of scheduling an appointment for a haircut but decided to let my hair grow for another week. Had I come in, Little Joe would not have been at that MacGregor intersection at that time. This thought will always haunt me.

Little Joe was my partner in words and since no man can keep secrets from his barber, he was also my confidante and friend. Like many in Southwest Florida, my life is richer for having known him. I shall not see his like again.

Joe Pacheco

I've only known Little Joe a few short months. I was one of the many authors working with him on his 'Campfire Tale' project. That impish smile will be remembered forever. He struck me from the git-go as an outgoing, true gentleman and I feel we're all nicer people for having known him. You just can't do better than that. Buona Fortuna, my friend, and God Bless. ~ Barbara Burnett

(From the closing of Little Joe's book Contributed by Barbara Burnett)

I'll end by again thanking The Boss and All Heavenly Beings who pitched in from time to time… and so many times…. Tell me you're still there. Hel-looo!

And just think: The Best is Yet to Come!

Benediga e Salute!

All that put to bed; I think a truly appropriate ending, with a Tip-o-the-Cap to Warner Bros. Pictures, is to pay homage to their iconic Hollywood Salutation by shouting…

"Th-a-th-th, Tha, uh That's All Folks!"

from 'CONFESSIONS… of a HOLLYWOOD HAIRSTYLIST' by Little Joe Micale

Joe Micale's smiling face and spirit will surely be missed. He was one of a kind. - Hank Heitmann

I've been a member of GCWA for over seven years, and never has a member come on aboard the way "Little Joe" did. He was full of energy, enthusiasm, and when you smiled at him, he smiled back with twice the grin. He was always anxious and excited to talk about the stars he knew and to share his successes, but more than that, he was genuinely interested in your story and what you've done. He was quick to get involved and his passion for everything was nothing but contagious. I'm glad I got to call him my friend, and proud that he called me his friend. Going to miss you Little Joe!

Sincerely,
Timothy M. Jacobs, Freelance Writer

Little Joe's big heart was evident in his words, his actions and his eyes. I will miss him. Immensely. - Patty Duncan

To Ginny Micale:

My deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved husband, Little Joe. He was such an asset to Gulf Coast Writers Association, as well as a friend to us all. Joe had a lot of great ideas and we appreciated his input so much.

God bless you and your dear family at this terrible time. Just know that others are grieving with you.

Sincerely,

Patricia B. Janda

Member of Gulf Coast Writers Association

The first time Joe and I bumped into each other was at Calusa Harbour's entertainment evening. The usual room was occupied and the residents and we were in an alcove off a hallway. The first speaker contended with a grandfather clock announcing every quarter hour. Joe and I snuck a look at each other and raised our eyebrows.
"Can we time this so we aren't 'on' when it goes off?" he asked me.

From that first chiming we kept our eyes on that clock and stalled or sped up our presentations to avoid being drowned out by it. Added to that was a resident sitting in the front row who every few minutes elbowed her seat-mate and quite loudly proclaimed, "Emma, wake up!" But the funniest incident was when another resident wheeled herself to an out-of-bounds area and set off the alarm. There was no competing with that until it was silenced!

Frequently, we would find ourselves at various book signings, writing for the on-line Snowbird Journal and finally met on a regular basis when Joe became a Gulf Coast Writers member. Joe always had a kind word to say, and from his "Good News" reports one could tell he loved his fellow-man. I especially recall his thoughts on attending the Pennsylvania 9/11 ten-year-memorial event.

It was an honor to know him and will miss his infectious grin. However, he knew Jesus and the very instant he left earth God welcomed his child to Heaven.

Jan Nieman

How could such passion and energy fit into a man of such diminutive stature? Perhaps it was because he gave it away at every opportunity. Little Joe made a greater impact in people's lives in his 73 years than most people could in three lifetimes. I had the pleasure of working on a collaborative project he began recently with a group of writers from GCWA. He was in the process of editing the first ten chapters. Even unfinished, that project was a joyful experience, because we were blessed by our contact with this unique man. Every conversation with Little Joe left you feeling better about yourself, your craft, and your dreams.

     Perhaps a better question is, from where did all that passion and energy come? I believe that Little Joe was blessed by a great God who created him to show what is possible when you maintain a grateful, humble, generous heart. I pray that he is in his heavenly Father's embrace and that we will see him again.

     My prayers are with Ginny, who was not just his right hand, but literally used both her hands to type his work. She was the woman behind the man in every area of his life. Thank you, Ginny. May God heal your heart and bless your future here, until that day we are reunited with our loved ones in the presence of our Lord and Savior.

     To those in Little Joe's family who loved him, encouraged him and shaped him into the person we knew, thank you. You made the world a better place.

Denise Holbrook

Little Joe's passing is a great loss to the community as well as to his family. Little Joe was a mover and a shaker. He made things happen. He was a talented and accomplished writer, a storyteller with a repertoire of entertaining and true stories, and a producer of the Calusa Harbor Tale Tellers productions. He had a distinguished career as a hair stylist to the stars, from whichy he got so many of his fascinating stories. Most of all, he was a warm and caring person. He brought joy to a lot of people. I feel priviliged to have known and worked with him. I will miss him very much.

Mary Lou Williams